Gang punch



C. WIDELL i GANG PUNCH March 4, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 24. 1955 C. WIDELL March 4, 1958 GANG PUNCH A. Sheets-Sheet 2 Wm, w .lili NN wy@ March 4, 1958 c. wml-:LL Y 2,825,407

GANG PUNCH Filed March 24, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 5 March 4,;1958

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fi'led March 24, 1955 pact.

Y, 2,825,140? E@ Patented Marr-4,` 1953 GANG PUNCH Charles Widell, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Plastic Binding Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application March 24, 195s, serial No. 496,560 1 claim. (ci. 164-124) This invention relates to multiple perforating punches and is of particularV utility in punches designed for perfoeiortrequired of the operator is, in conventional punches,

in which all of the individual punch members strike Vthe c work-piece simultaneously, very high, since the entire effort of starting all of the individual perforations is concentrated at a single point in the stroke of the handle or other operating member which is manipulated by the operator. It is thus not uncommon to lind that at one point in the stroke of the operating member of a conventional manually operated multiple perforating punch, the operator must place his entire weight on the operating member in order to drive the punch, particularly Where unusually thick stacks of paper are being punched. Similar problems have been encountered in the multiple vpunching of metals by means cf motor-driven punches,

the motor in such cases being required to be of suicient power to start all the holes in the work-piece simultaneously, unless provision is made for sequentially timed operation, which is in general relatively complex and expensive. In the case of such motor-driven punches for metals, there have been devised structures in which the punch members are of different lengths, so that as the punch-retaining member is driven toward the dies in a single stroke, the punch members penetrate the workpiece and the dies sequentially, rather than simutaneously, thus permitting a reduction in the strength of the motor and the mechanism, since the work performed in the stroke is distributed over the length of the stroke rather than being concentrated at a single point of punch im- However, where a long series of holes or perforations are to be made, such a construction is extremely expensive, because of the large number of diiering punch members required.

Further, the mere employment of punch members of Adiierin'g length which Vhas been used in the punching of metals is not satisfactory for the punching of materials such as paper, since it is found that additional problems are thereby introduced.V In the case of punching paper and like materials, it is found that it is desirable to avoid excess travel of the punch member through the punched aperture in order to minimize deformationof the punched .aperture by rubbing of the surface of the punchV member Vagainst the edge oi the punched aperture, bothin forward and return motions of the punch member. Where the various punch members travel different forwardand return distances through the stack of papers, the deformation becomes excessive as regards those of the punch members which travel furthest through the work-piece.

WithV these considerations in view, the most desirable single stroke relative motion between the punch mem- Vbers and the cooperating die openings `is found to approximate the relative motion between the two blades of a scissors, i. e., a motion in which (in the open position) the line of the ends of the punch members and the line of the die openings form an acute angle, this angle diminishing to the point of parallelism as the punches are brought toward and into the die openings, so that'at the end of the stroke the lineof the ends of the punch members is parallel` with the line of Vthe die openings, all punch members havingrpassed equal distances through their cor responding die openings.

However, the desgnrof a multiple perforating punch having a relative motion between the punch assembly and the die assembly identical to that of the blades of Va scissors, i. e., relative rotation about a lixed point, is impractical where the punch is designed to produce with a single stroke a long line of perforations through substantial thicknesses of stacked papers or similar materials. In order to permit the insertion of thick stacks of papers, such as checkbooks, catalogues, etc., into a punch having such a type of motion, the axis of rotation for the scissors action must be relatively remote from the punch members and their corresponding die openings, thus emailing an overall structure of dimensions grossly I Vexceeding the space requirements of the punches and dies and of the paper being worked upon. Furthermore, to produce clean and identical perforations in perfect register through substantial stacks of paper, the motion of the punch members must at all times be perpendicular to the paper.

The present invention provides a multiple perforating punch in which the punch members are sequentially driven Vthrough the paper, all proceeding the same distance through the paper, without requiring excessive space for the machine. The relative motion of the punch assemby and the die assembly in the present invention simulates relative rotation about a remote axis, thus distributing the effort rof punching of the paper through the stroke of the operating member. In addition, the punch vmembers remain perpendicular to the work-pieces throughout'the operation. Y

The present machine also provides for ready replacement of any of the punch members which may require such replacement, due either to wear, or to damage due ,to improper use of the machine. All of these advantages are obtained in a machine which is low in cost and highly reliable in operation.

Further objects and advantages, and the manner in which they are obtained, will be seen-from the description of the single embodiment of the invention illustrated in the attached drawing, in which:

Figure l is a View in front elevation of a machine embodying the invention, the illustration of the operating member thereof being incomplete in part; Y

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Figure l in the direction indicated by arrows;

FigureV 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View, partially in Y radii www frenada naam maar Y essmiallyivattisalrithefgewnwafsfrad Figure 4 is an end view of the machine of Figure" 1,Y Figure 5 is Ya detailed view of a latch or lock assembly n, Yconstituting a portion of `the machine, the .parts being illustrated in the normal or latched position; Y igure 6 isa Yview similar to V1:"igure'5 buttillustrating Y the partsV in anYunlatched position; p Y VFigureV 7 is a vertical sectionalV view'takenY-,along'the linev7-7Yof Figure 1;Y 'Y Y Y Y' 'Y Figure 8V isa detailed Ysectional lView takenalongrthe VY-lineiti-98'ofYFigu'eZi 'f e' l if ijf 75: t Y';

Figure YY9 is a detailed sectional Yviw taken-"along "the 'Y Y'Y`..Y,i.'Y cams employed' in the machine and includes` adotted representationiothe ysecondcarm 'to Yillustratefthe tdtfer'ence1therebetween. Y'

YY Referring to' Figures" 12,y 4` and TothedIaWllYit '20 designated 2), is formed.l ofYendplates221and24ioined ...Y by rectangular bars y2,6 l and Y' Y128, ,the latterY ,beingjoined Y;

Figure 10 `illustrates one' yof'Y-two will be seen that" the' base ,ofthe machinfe,Y generally to-theY endplates` 22 and 24" byjdowel'pins V3ll"a'nd"32 and'bolts 34jand 36. V.CushionedYnteet37i are Yse'cur'ed to the'v corners'of .the base; Overlying'the frontiportion .ofthe Yba'senZllfis asheetmetal' table 38,!the`front' portion a of wbichis bent downto vf'o'rrn a'Y protective andfde'cora'tve Y apron Y40,'vthe table 38"being;secured'to the upper Yedges VY"ofthe e'ndfplatesZZ anyd`r24YbyYscrews42.-Y VAdlitinal supportjfor the central portion of f the .table "38" isY prof i Vvided by abar' 44 secured to Vth'etbarf2'6 by bolts46 the YY .rlaterallytYcenn-,al portion of Y'the Stablev .138' being 'xedfto the bar" 44"by` a screw 48. p A Yslot 50'in theV top ofthe table acts'as'a slide for a paper Vstop VS2- providedV with a locking Y thumb screw 54,Y the Yendplatef 22 being notched Yat'l'56 td'pe'rmit thepfaper Vstop 52 toV slide beyond the end; plate Aforf'the accommodation Yof lmitrenieIy large',Y papers. Re'earward` of. the.'` table V38V o nzthe base 20 is a Ydietaspsembly cinpnisinga unitary die. plate 58 restingYro'n the :barsY'Y2'6 and Y2,3 Vand. aixed to the bar 26 by screws Y60.Y

bracket 120fse9ars te fheY/endplatefzz by. sarcasm, l the bracket Y 12 0be/ing@merelyl suiiciently.,jtightgagainstVY f' ithe'YYstriker'llSto keep `the lattenfromffalling'outgfor Y* The aligned rectangular die 4Topenings orYaperturesY62 in 1;

the Vdie 'plate .58 appearV overv aY space (between. the Ybars 26 and 28, so that Ypunchingsfrom the paper-forv other work-pieceY fall intov a drawer-'64 supported on slides 66 at the bottomfofthebase. i Y Y i 1 Rearwardjoffjthe Ydie openings; 62 atop V the;n die plate YS78isa-paperstop baros/Which serves YwithYthje gstop;52 'Y Y to, locate the stacked work-pieces in the punch.: Qntop v Yguidefapertures 72.similar vto the.' die aperturesfli'l. vFur.-

of'thepaperstopbar-68 is aguide'plate'70;having;punch o gther identical guide plates74- anclj are spaced upwardly 1:; Y by spacers 78 and 80,ithe entirejpunch guidelas'semblyV Y, Athus formed. beingYmantained'Yin .positionbyfboltsZ ,extending Vthroughgthe assembly/and threaded, into the 'YY 'ibar,YY28. A supplementary spacerr84 oppositegthe Yspacer Y 78 Yaids Yin'maintaining` theljsp'a'cing 4ofjthe-guide;plates YY Y a r1d74,Y i' f a i The rear portions of Athe,Y ientl` platesY 22. .Yancl124'Y lhave Y' integral upward extensions supporting theV punch assemz Y.rblyand thedrive therefor now. to;be'describeda ,sheete Yen@ YY V ltendinggbar 144.' ixedf by increasingas the lever orY handle96 is broughtforwa'rd -and down' to `the horizontal position, Y-the-maximum-down-, ward radius being reached when theV 1ever$96 has slightly,V

Stops 100, Aex#V passed beyondtherhoriz'ontal position. Y Ytending inward from the end platesz 22 and 24,-Y'x the Y j back-most position'of thefcams 92'Yand"94,the position Y, Y,Y Y illustrated Yin Vthe, drawing. Yjfhe. front edges Yofthe Yup- Y standingsupportv portions of the'end plates122 andl24z Y The carriage or puhll-etaiingemember'ofrthelpunchVj ,assembly is Vagenerally nectarigular` bar 1ll8.YV Extending Ywardly extending'ange 110, and-extending jalongthe seated for parallel lrn'otionYV Ybetween theupper tiangevr 11u andY/Ythepuppeifiendsxo afstrilertoi-drive-the unches: jfIhe' strikefgll ward from th'cfcaij'riageflDS-Y VAtthe opposite en'deoffthe at one end of the leyerlfcngages the head offa latehl Y Y, -piriVY 132VY-whi'ch extends: through anraperturejinthefend e piece `126. into, a'correspondingl bore'VY 13 4 in-ptlzieY-end,Y of Yf :YY Ythaistriker-i118YYiQAcw1ing136seated inaY. suitablegaddi# Ytional bore :intherendmiece i126; urgessfzth'e leitenV 139 g i to thee' inward .pdsitio wherein the Vinner jend of thelpin 132mg'ages-etlie;striker-118.V Y'I'hezla'tchjthus constructed retainsi thecYIight-'liandpiendj*,ofgthe striker in positions-ion Y Y provided. Yalfro'rwatdly Y carriage: Y 'lhezfstrike'i Vextending handleor'iknoh 38.1. i

Y Y` assembly, perrnittingjafsrnall ',dfegree of omtheiverncaltycentr Yportibnrthe ba pressed ,beneaththe,lindev Y .meftsi Y96 {(fhe' Centralrporten;'therecfibeinsiomitted' 70j.uppersurfaeeoithe ppermo (from the drawingntheiendrspf the operating internaatl 96 Y,

'being retainedin. thecainsYby ,setYscrews 982 111e. n 92'Yand-Y94 are solpitchedzthat Ytheirgminimumfdownward Y ,lowerV edgeYYis''.aYIfovi/ardlyY eittending YtlangeY 112,Y the .Y `latter protruding isomewhatY-less'fthanthe former. Y' YRest- Yp Y ing Yon the lower ange Y112 arejpiusY 114,Y Veach'Ypin. 114V Y being force-iitted int'oaYpunchmember 51161to Vforrna 'j YV protrusion thereonfYThe punchrmembcrs116 .are of the ,Y general form.V of, elongated Y rectangles,7the Ylowerf ends;Y thereof beingjformedwithsuitable'curved-.andtapered Y Y endsto producelmaximum eiciency in perforating papersA Y and similar?. materials. Thel Ypunch kmenibersYYll`6.are Y- .Y theYaHesvYYnrans 16. e Mountedron tliepuneh-Yretainingrrember or-/cariagels tithe'.Y l

carriage 108,--thereis`securedto theffend of the ,carriage/3;.y i. ,byscrews 124,anf-endpieceYlZr YPivotedfion :thebnd Y 'assi/io?? with the spaced cams 92 and 94. Hardened camollower plates 1an and .leas aretastened tome upper edge of the carriage by screws .160.lt will further be seen that the punch members 116, although pivoted andlaterally slideable on the punch assembly, are securely locked in place on the assembly, being drivenV for motion toward the die assembly by the striker 118 and for motion away from tne die assembly by the ange 112; but they may readily be removed upon unlatching (see Figures 5 and 6) of the striker, which permitsremoving the right-hand end of the striker and sliding the lett-hand end of the striker out from behindthe bracket 120 (the Yhandle or knob 138 being grasped with thehngers for this purpose); upon complete removal of the striker in this manner, the individual punch members 116 may be removed and replaced at will. When the striker 118 is in position on the assembly, the punches 116, although merely hanging from the punch retaining member, cannot be removed therefrom because of their position in the punch guides, the upward motion of the punch assembly being limited so that they remain in the guides. However, upon removal of the striker 118, each individual punch member may be pulled upward suciently so that it is no longer held vertical by the guide assembly (which condition will occur when it is drawn upward suiciently to clear the guide plate 74), at which point it may be removed and replaced by a similar punch member.

In Figure is shown the left hand cam 92, and superimposed thereon is a dotted line 162 indicating the cam or pitch line of the right hand cam 94, the cams in other respects being identical. The cams have corresponding portions of unequal radius in the region of rest position of the handle, and corresponding portions of equal radius in the region of the end of the stroke of the handle, the cam 92 having a greater pitch than the cam 94. Under the urging of the springs 150, the difference in cam radius which exists in the rest position (the handle being upright), produces a tilt of the carriage or punchretaining member 108 with respect to the stationary portion of the machine. As the operating member 96 is pulled forward and down around its axis, the carriage moves down toward the die assembly and simultaneously rotates slightly in the plane of the punch members, ultimately reaching a position at the end of its path where it is parallel to the die assembly, due to the identity of the cam shapes in the region corresponding to the end of the stroke of the operating member.

The elect produced by this combined translatory and rotational motion of the punch-retaining member will be seen to be roughly similar to the operation of a scissors, i. e., the etect in general simulates rotation of the punch assembly with respect to the die assembly about a relatively remote axis, although in fact the actual rotation occurs about a point on the carriage. It will be noted that the type of motion above described may be employed in structures wherein the punch members are rigidly and iixedly attached to the punch retaining or backing member. However, in such a case, the relative motion of the punch members with respect to the die members is not completely linear and perpendicular. In the present structure, the punch members are confined to linear perpendicular motion by the guide assembly, and the above-described manner of coupling the punch members to the punch-retaining member and the striker which drives the punch members permits slight sliding and pivoting of the punch members with respect to the rest of the punch assembly, thus permitting the punch members to remain perpendicular to the die assembly and parallel throughout their path, despite the slight rotation of the striker which produces cyclic, rather than simultaneous, perforation of the paper by the respective punch members, which are thus driven at speeds dependent on the distance of the portions of the striker abutting against them from the axis of rotation of the striker.

The stroke of the operating member produces successivepertorations by all of the aligned punch member; whichare `ofY equal length or extension from the carriage, starting at Vthe lett end of the machine and proceeding across to the right. The production of cyclic perforating action is further promoted in the present struc ture by alternation of the lengths-of the punch members. As seen in Figure 3, the aligned punch members 116 are all of equal length. However, there are inserted between the punch members 116, to alternate therewith, punch members 116a of slightly shorter length. This structure adds substantially to the ease of operating the machine when large stacks are being punched. Assigning to the punch members in order from left to right the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.l (these numbers not appearing in the drawing), the long punch members bear odd numbers and the shorter punch members bear even numbers. As operation is commenced on a large stack, the order in which the perforations of the paper are commenced will start with 1, 3, 5, etc. At some point in this series, depending upon the thickness of the work-piece being punched, the even-numbered punch members will commence to make their perforations. Thus the overall order of operation might be 1, 3, 5, 2, 7, 4, 9, etc. This arrangement is particularly advantageous where the sheaf of papers being punched is very thick. The greatest separation between the commencements of the respective perforations occurs at the commencement of the stroke of the operating member, which is the point of the stroke at which the operator is limited to exerting a minimum of force on the operating member, because the operating member is at this point practically vertical. As the operating member reaches the portion of its stroke where operation is rela tively easy because weight can be applied, the shorter punches come into operative engagement with the workpieces, thus equalizing the elort of the operator over the entire stroke.

A stud 164 threaded through the bar 144 and provided with a lock-nut 165 abuts against the upper surface of the topmost guide plate 76 to constitute an adjustable limit stop fixing the lower end of the path of the punchretaining member, and thus of the operating member. As seen in Figure l, the bar 144 is mounted on the carriage or punch-retaining member 103 at a slight acute angle, so as to be parallel with the stationary portion of the assembly when the machine is in its rest position. This construction permits the use of identical springs 150, which would otherwise become unequalized due to dierences in compression while in the rest or storage position.

It will be seen that the present construction provides a multiple punch in which the equalization of the effort required by the operator over the entire stroke of the operating member is maximized, while at the same time not adding to the size of the machine, and permitting a simple and inexpensive construction. Obviously, many variants of the specic structure shown and described will readily be made by persons skilled in the art upon understanding of the basic mode of operation and construction of the machine. Likewise, particular aspects of the invention may be applied to multiple punches far different in general construction and purpose from the paper punch herein described. Accordingly, Ythe scope of the protection to be afforded the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiment illustrated, but is to be determined only from the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

Multiple perforating punch apparatus comprising a holder for punch members, said holder having a channel providing opposed support shoulders, individual punch members having projections thereon which are engaged by one of said shoulders when said holder is moved in one direction to move said punch members in said direction, a bar in said channel between said punch member projec tions and the other of said shoulders which bar bears against said punch member projections when the holder 

